Ronald P. May

Ron May is an author, freelance writer, historian, and public speaker. He focuses on World War II history and the stories of those who served.

He spent 25 years in full-time church ministry as a Lutheran Pastor and, during that time, served for 22 years as a Navy Reserve Chaplain.

In 2012, following his retirement from the Navy, Ron began work as a freelance writer, submitting the stories of military veterans for publication in local newspapers. He published his first book: “Our Service Our Stories” in the fall of 2015. It tells the service stories of 36 World War 2 veterans from Central Indiana. Deciding to turn the book title into a multi-volume series of World War II veteran stories, he published his second volume in 2018 and his third volume in 2021. He plans to add two more books to the series which will become a five-volume set when completed.

Ron’s most recent book, “World War II Indiana Landmarks”, was published in 2023. It explores Indiana’s great contribution to the war by highlighting the military bases, memorials, monuments, and museums throughout the state as well as sharing the stories of those connected to the sites featured in the book.

In December 2020, Ron completed his master’s degree in World War II Studies from Arizona State University. The first degree focused solely on World War II, the program is a collaborative venture between ASU and the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Beyond writing books, Ron has also taken to the stage in performing a first-person dramatization of World War II correspondent, Ernie Pyle. He continues to perform this drama for local groups and organizations to preserve the legacy of the man who became the best known and most well-loved war correspondent.

Ron serves as Chaplain at Hoosier Village Retirement Community in Zionsville, Indiana, and resides in Westfield, Indiana, with his wife, Glenda, and their dog, Mason. When he is not writing or serving in ministry, he enjoys riding his bicycle, gliding across the water on a kayak, walking area trails, acting in local community theater productions, and officiating high school football games.

Check out his YouTube channel at World War II History and Stories with Ron May. Follow him on Facebook at Our Service, Our Stories or on Instagram at ronaldp.may.